Legendary Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has taken a dig at the long-running debate over pitch perception, highlighting the “double standards” in global cricket commentary.
Ashwin’s remarks came after 19 wickets fell on the opening day of the Ashes Test in Perth. He compared the silence around the dramatic collapse at Perth Stadium with the sharp criticism India faced for the three-day match against South Africa in Kolkata earlier this month.
Ashwin posted a GIF on X hinting at hypocrisy, captioned: “Only 19 wickets fell at Perth today, but an excellent day’s cricket. Oh no! What if the same happens tomorrow in Guwahati?”
His remark came after former players, including former England player Michael Vaughan, slammed the Eden Gardens pitch as “awful” when 15 wickets fell on Day 1 and India were bowled out in three days.
The Ashes opener, however, was hailed as thrilling despite being even more bowler-dominated. England were shot out for 172 as Mitchell Starc claimed a sensational 7-58, before Australia crumbled to 123 for 9, led by Ben Stokes’ fiery 5-23.
Ashwin’s pointed message underscores his frustration with how Asian pitches are scrutinised, while similar surfaces abroad are often celebrated as “proper Test cricket.”
